EP3504129A1

EP3504129A1 - Snap-fit closure with tamper-evident securing means

Info

Publication number: EP3504129A1
Application number: EP17784834.8A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Roland Kittmann
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2016-08-26
Filing date: 2017-08-23
Publication date: 2019-07-03
Anticipated expiration: 2037-08-23
Also published as: EP3504129B1; US11286088B2; DE112017004263A5; WO2018036592A1; JP2019524589A; CN109863091A; CN109863091B; DE102016115950A1; US20190193900A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a cover (10…130) which operates with a bistable snap-fit mechanism and is intended for positioning on a closable opening (1) of a container or on some other element which is to be closed by the cover. The cover (10…110) and/or a container wall region (2) have/has fitted thereon a tamper-evident sealing element (18a...58a; 42a; 6a; 91a…111a) to be removed during the first opening of the container, which, prior to being removed, blocks a deformation of the end wall (11…111) which is necessary for changeover between the two bistable states and/or prevents an expansion portion (74a…114a), which is necessary for the snap-fit mechanism, from bringing about the alteration to the outer circumference of the cover (10…110) which is necessary for the deformation of the end wall (11…111) of the cover between the two bistable states. As an alternative, or in addition, to this, it is also possible for a grip element (125; 135A-C), which is necessary for pulling off the cover (120; 130), to be configured such that it can only be used once the tamper-evident sealing has been successfully removed.

Description

SNAP CLOSURE WITH ORIGINALITY SAFETY

description

There is a general need in the packaging industry for reclosable containers, especially those for food or the like. The container opening should be able to be closed with a cover gas-and liquid-tight as possible, the cover should in particular be designed as a so-called tamper-evident, i. It should be immediately apparent to the customer when the container is first opened, whether the container is still in the original delivery condition, or whether it has already been opened.

For this purpose, conventional packaging solutions provide, for example, an outer groove which projects annularly around the peripheral edge of the container opening, in which the outer peripheral edge of the cover sinks in so far that it can not be grasped by hand to open the cover. Only after removing a ring-segment-shaped part of the outer groove can the customer pull on the then exposed portion of the outer circumference of the cover from the groove up to get to the contents of the container. The removable part of the outer groove is marked by appropriate markings and formed as material breakpoint material. It represents a so-called originality sealing element, because the customer knows after removal that the container is no longer in its original state, but has already been opened at least once.

The object of the present invention is to provide an alternative solution for a closure system with tamper-evident sealing element, in particular a gas-tight and watertight cover as possible, which is suitable for as many types of container whose opening and closing mechanism for the customer easy to understand and operate, and that can be produced as possible material and cost-saving.

The solution of the problem is achieved by the defined in claim 1 cover. This is characterized by a so-called snap mechanism in which the end wall in a bistable manner between a curved in Aufsteckrichtung first state and a curved against the Aufsteckrichtung second state is deformed, with this deformation is accompanied by an enlargement of the cover outer edge, which is for clamping Fastening the cover to the container or any other to be closed by the cover element is suitable. The originality sealing ment is realized by the cover or the container, a blocking element is mounted, which blocks a required for jumping between the two bistable states deformation of the end wall and / or prevents stretching portions on the edge portion of the cover, which is responsible for the deformation of the end wall causing the two bistable states required change in the outer circumference of the cover. As a result, the cover can only snap back and forth between the two bistable states after the sealing element has been removed.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the solution of the task also succeeds by the cover defined in claim 10. This is also characterized by the already mentioned snap mechanism, realizes the originality seal but in that a necessary to lift the cover handle element must be brought into its functional position. An originality seal is broken and signals to the user that the cover is no longer in its original state.

Preferred embodiments of the cover according to the invention are specified in the subclaims. The invention also includes a closure system formed from the cover according to the invention and the container with the opening to be closed.

The sealing element is preferably attached to the cover and / or the wall region via a perforation or material thinning which is easily recognizable from the outside. Thus, the sealing element should be easily removed by hand during the first opening of the container, without being torn off the cover or the container in any other way.

In principle, it suffices if the sealing element extends over at least such a large portion of the end wall and / or the edge section provided with the expansion sections that the sealing element reliably prevents the deformation of the end wall or widening of the expansion sections required for snapping over the cover. Preferably, however, the sealing element is annularly formed along the entire outer circumference of the cover and in particular formed directly on the outermost outer periphery of the cover.

The snap mechanism of the cover can be realized in that at the edge portion folds are formed, which extend with the sealing element removed to the outermost outer edge of the cover and when snapping the cover from its folded state into a Spreading expanded state so as to achieve the desired enlargement of the outer cover circumference.

The snap mechanism is described in more detail in the German patent application DE 10 2015 103 036 A1, the content of which is hereby fully incorporated by reference. The folds can be made in a particularly cost-effective manner in a piece by a so-called thermal process (also called thermoforming, thermoforming or vacuum deep drawing) made of plastic with substantially homogeneous wall thickness. Suitable base materials are in particular thin films of thermoplastics such as PET, PS and PP. Alternatively, however, they can also be produced, for example, by injection molding, which in particular allows more freedom in the three-dimensional shaping and also permits production of the expansion sections with expansion grooves or folds formed by different material thicknesses.

Alternatively, the expansion sections instead of the folds can also be formed of a softer material component than the vast majority of the edge sections. Such covers can be produced particularly well in a multi-component injection molding process, and are described in detail in the German Utility Model Application DE 20 2015 105 951 U1. The content of this application is also fully incorporated by reference. Preferred materials for the first (softer) component are: thermoplastic elastomers (TPE) and thermoplastic urethane (TPU). Preferred materials for the second (harder) component are: polycarbonate (PC), acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) and polystyrene (PS).

Irrespective of the specific configuration of the expansion section, it is important for the present invention that the edge section is reliably prevented in the original state by the original sealing element, which is also referred to in the following as a signing ring in some embodiments, in that for the snap mechanism expand or contract to the required extent. Only after removing the sealing ring should the snap function of the cover be activated.

In the present description, the closure element of the opening to be closed is generally referred to as a cover. If the clamp attachment of the cover engages outside on the opening wall, the cover is called a cap; on the other hand, if the cover jams against the opening wall inside, it is called a lid. The invention will be explained below with reference to the drawing in several embodiments. It shows:

Figure 1 a is a cross-sectional view of a closure system according to the present invention with a closure cap according to a first embodiment in the closed position;

Figure 1 b is an enlarged detail A of Figure 1 a;

FIG. 1 c shows the closure system according to FIG. 1 a in the open position;

2a shows a cross-sectional view of a closure system according to the present invention with a closure cap according to a second embodiment in the closed position;

Figure 2b shows an enlarged detail B of Figure 2a;

Figure 2c shows a first modified type of closure cap of the second embodiment in the enlarged section;

FIG. 2d shows the closure system according to FIG. 2a in the open position; Figure 3a is a partial cross-sectional view of another closure system with a second modified type of closure cap of the first embodiment;

Figure 3b is a partial cross-sectional view of another closure system with a third modified type of cap according to the first embodiment;

Figure 4a is a cross-sectional view of a closure system according to the present invention with a closure lid according to a third embodiment in the closed position;

FIG. 4b shows an enlarged detail C of FIG. 4a;

FIG. 4c shows the closure system according to FIG. 4a in the open position;

Figure 5a is a cross-sectional view of a closure system according to the present invention with a closure lid, in which a fourth and a fifth embodiment are shown as alternative variants, in the closed position;

FIG. 5b shows an enlarged detail D of FIG. 5a;

FIG. 5c shows an enlarged section E of FIG. 5a;

FIG. 5d shows the closure system according to FIG. 5a in the open position;

6a shows a cross-sectional partial view of a closure system according to the invention with a variant of the fourth embodiment in a closed position;

Figure 6b is a plan view of the partial view of Figure 6a; FIG. 6c shows a cross-sectional partial view of a closure system according to the invention with a further variant of the fourth exemplary embodiment in the closed position;

Figure 6d is a plan view of the partial view of Figure 6c;

Figure 7a is a cross-sectional view of a closure system according to the present invention with a closure cap according to a sixth embodiment in the closed position;

FIG. 7b shows an enlarged detail F of FIG. 7a;

FIG. 8 a shows a partial cross-sectional view of a closure system according to a seventh exemplary embodiment of the present invention in the closed position;

FIG. 8b is a partial cross-sectional view of a closure system according to a variant of the seventh embodiment in the closed position; and

FIG. 9a shows a side view, partially in section, of a closure lid produced using multi-component injection molding technology after removal of the sealing element; FIG.

Fig. 9b is a plan view of the lid of Fig. 9a;

FIG. 10a is a side view, partly in section, of a thermoformed thermoformed closure cap after removal of the sealing element; FIG.

Fig. 10b is a plan view of the cap of Fig. 10a;

Figure 1 1 a is a partially sectioned side view of a closure system with a closure cap according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention in the closed position;

Fig. 1 1 b is a plan view of the cap of Fig. 1 1 a;

Figure 12a is a sectional side view of a closure system with a closure lid according to a ninth embodiment of the present invention in the closed position;

Fig. 12b is a plan view of the lid of Fig. 12a;

Figure 13a is a sectional side view of a closure system with a closure lid according to a tenth embodiment of the present invention in the closed position;

Fig. 13b is a plan view of the lid of Fig. 13a;

FIG. 14a shows a side view, shown in section, of a closure system with a closure lid according to an eleventh exemplary embodiment of the invention present invention in closed position but with removed originality seal;

Fig. 14b is a plan view of the lid of Fig. 14a;

FIG. 14c shows an enlarged section E of FIG. 14a;

FIG. 14d shows the enlarged detail E in plan view;

FIG. 14e the enlarged detail E in a side view in section before removal of the tamper-evident seal;

FIG. 14f shows the enlarged detail E in plan view before removal of the tamper-evident seal;

Figure 15a is a sectional side view of a closure system with a closure cap according to a twelfth embodiment of the present invention in the closed position;

Fig. 15b is a plan view of the lid of Fig. 15a;

FIG. 15c shows the enlarged detail F of FIG. 15a with a grip part latched in the end wall;

FIG. 15d shows a first variant of a grip part designed for anchoring in the end wall of the cover in a side view;

Fig. 15e is a front view of the handle portion of Fig. 15d;

FIG. 15f a second variant of a grip part designed for anchoring in the end wall of the cover in a side view;

Fig. 15g is a front view of the handle portion of Fig. 15f;

FIG. 15h shows the enlarged detail F of FIG. 15a with a grip part latched in the end wall in a variant of the twelfth exemplary embodiment;

Figure 15i is a side view of the handle portion adapted for anchoring in the end wall of the lid according to the variant of the twelfth embodiment;

Fig. 15j is a front view of the handle portion of Fig. 15i.

In the figure 1 a, a cap 10 is shown according to the first embodiment of the invention, which sits in clamped on the outside of the wall 2 to be closed opening 1 of a container or other to be closed by the cover element. The cap 10 has an end wall 1 1 of substantially circular basic shape, at the peripheral edge of an annular edge portion 12 is formed. The edge portion 12 has a substantially axially, ie along the Aufsteckrichtung, extending central portion 17 and a transverse thereto, ie extending in the radial direction, lip portion 18. At the central portion 17 are radially inwardly projecting Locking nubs 19 are formed, which are designed for a clamping engagement in an annular groove 3 on the outer circumference of the opening wall 2.

In order to keep the angle μ, which include the end wall 1 1 and the edge portion 12 in its transition region, constant for both bistable states, the cap material should have sufficient rigidity. This is achieved according to the invention in a covering produced with a thermal process with substantially homogeneous wall thickness, characterized in that stiffening ribs 13 are provided in the transition region between end wall 1 1 and edge section 12. In other manufacturing processes, for example an injection molding process, the stiffening regions 13 can also be designed as regions of increased material thickness. In a multi-component injection molding process, these areas may also be formed by using a harder material component. FIG. 1a shows a cross section through the cap 10 in a circumferential section in which a stiffening region 13 is provided. However, the stiffening areas may be present intermittently only at some peripheral portions, while the transition region between the end wall 1 1 and edge portion 12 otherwise remains unstiffened.

On the end wall 1 1, a cylindrical grip element 15 (so-called Griffdom) is further formed, on which the cap 10 engage well and can be deducted from the opening 1 in the axial direction without tilting. To improve the grip 15 additional handle knobs 16 may be attached to a peripheral edge of the handle member, which increase the slip resistance.

As is shown in more detail in FIG. 1 b, according to the invention the lip section 18 of the edge section 12 has a signet ring 18 a which can be separated by a material dilution or perforation 18 b designed as a predetermined breaking point. The sealing ring 18a is connected to the middle section 17 via the material perforation 18b and is intended to prevent (not shown in the cross-section of the drawing - but see FIGS. 9 and 10) expansion sections in the middle section 17 when the handle dome 15 is pressed down. can widen. For this purpose, it is important that the sealing ring 18a does not contain such expansion sections, ie when the cap 10 is produced in a multi-component injection molding process at least predominantly and preferably continuously from a harder material component than the expansion sections or in a production in a deep-drawing process no Einfaltun- conditions has, which reach up to the outermost peripheral edge of the cover 10. As shown in Figure 1 c, the cap 10 should be able to deform after removal of the sealing ring 18a in the second bistable state in which the end wall 1 1 snaps into a concave shape, and the edge portion 12 expands while maintaining an unchanged transition angle μ , The expansion of the edge portion 12 is only possible because an expansion of the expansion sections is no longer prevented in the absence of signing ring 18a. By holding the edge portion 12 and simultaneously lifting the handle dome 15, the cover shown in Figure 1 c can be brought back into its closed position.

The second embodiment of the closure cap 20 will be explained with reference to Figures 2a-d. Function and design of the end wall 21, the edge portion 22, the stiffening portions 23, the handle dome 25 and the handle nubs 26 are analogous to the first embodiment shown in Figure 1 and will not be explained again here. A difference from the first embodiment consists only in the transition from the central portion 27 in the lip portion 28. This is shown in two variants, wherein the variant shown in Figure 2c can be produced well in the thermoforming process, while the variant shown in Figure 2b by injection molding , preferably in a Mahrkomponenten injection molding process can be produced.

As can be seen in FIG. 2 c, the central section 27 in the cross section shown extends in a manner no longer perpendicular to the lip section 28 (as in FIG. 1), but instead describes a radius of curvature which is formed by forming the expansion sections as folds . As a material bulges in the middle section 27 is conditional. For the functioning of the outermost end of the lip portion 28 as a tamper-evident sealing element 28a, it is sufficient if at least the sealing ring 28a has no stretched portions and only upon removal of the sealing ring 28a along the perforation 28b, the expansion grooves in the central portion 27 and the remaining lip portion 28c to reach to the outermost edge of the cover 20. Then (and only then) can the cap 20 in the concave bistable state of Figure 2c in its edge portion 22 expand so that the cap 20 can be removed from the opening to be closed 1. The remaining lip portion 28c may be useful when the cover 20 is not to be used as a cap but as a lid, as shown in more detail in Figure 4 and 5 and explained. In the figure 2c, the same principle is shown, although here the material thickness of the seal ring 28a may be due to manufacturing technology greater than that of the end wall 21 and also shown. FIG. 2 d shows (analogously to FIG. 1 c) the cap 20 in the open position with the sealing ring 28 a removed.

Figures 3a and 3b show two preferred variants of the first embodiment of the cap 10, which relate to simplifications in the manufacturing technology. In the variant according to FIG. 3 a, the signing ring 18 a extends in a downwardly angled form. Such an angle section can be produced particularly well in thermoforming technology and (like the original variant according to FIG. 1) has the advantage that the perforation 18b between sealing ring 18a and middle section 17 can be made from above by a punching tool after the deep-drawing process.

In the variant according to FIG. 3b, the sealing ring 18a extends at an angle of approximately 45 ° obliquely to the middle section 17 extending in the slip-on direction. Here, the perforation 18b between the middle section 17 and the sealing ring 18a can be produced by the cap 10 being from the side encompassing punching tool is attached. Such punching operations are common and easy to use, especially when manufactured by injection molding.

FIG. 4a shows the third exemplary embodiment in which the cover is no longer designed as a cap which clamps from the outside, but as a cover 30 which is seated inside in the opening wall 2. Unlike the cap, the concave bistable state with the larger outer diameter is then the closed state, while the convex bistable state with the smaller outer diameter is the opened state. In addition, the transition angle μ between see end wall 31 and edge portion 32 is no longer larger here but smaller than 90 °. Otherwise, the function of the end wall 31, the edge portion 32, the stiffening portion 33, the middle portion 37 and the lip portion 38 with perforation 38b and signage ring 38a but exactly as in the second embodiment of Figure 2 and will therefore not be explained here.

Unlike the two previously described embodiments, the wall portion 2 of the container opening 1 has no outer circumferential groove, but an inner groove 4, which ends in an inwardly projecting shoulder 5, which is intended to prevent the cover 30 in the opening. 1 falls into it. In addition, the grip element 35 is no longer designed as a grip dome, but as a bow handle. Between the different forms of grip, depending on the Positioning technology and the desired requirements for the grip element to be freely selected.

As can be seen particularly well in FIG. 4 c, the lip section 38 c remaining after tearing off the sealing ring 38 a along the perforation 38 b can spread into the inner groove 4 and thus ensure a secure seating of the cover 30 on the opening 1 to be closed. In addition, the handle 35 is in the closed position shown in Fig. 4a so far within the opening 1 that accidental opening by impact on the handle 35 is very unlikely.

Figure 5 shows a fourth embodiment of the invention, wherein the

Cover 40 has a significantly flatter shape than in the previously described embodiments. The transition angle μ between end wall 41 and edge portion 42 is here no longer in the vicinity of 90 ° but approximately 160 ° to 170 °. However, the function of the end wall 41, the edge portion 42, the stiffening region 43 and the grip element 35 is exactly the same as in the third embodiment of FIG. 4 and will therefore not be explained in detail here.

FIG. 5 explains, with reference to two illustrative examples, how the signing ring 38a shown only schematically in FIG. 4 can be removed. For this purpose, two modifications in a single schematic representation were illustrated in FIG. On the left side of FIG. 5a, the sealing ring 48a terminates in a tab 48A protruding from the inner groove 4, by means of which it can be gripped from above and removed along the perforation 48b. This variant is based essentially on the basic principle illustrated in FIG. 4 and differs therefrom only in the length and the spatial orientation of the sealing ring 48a. On the other hand, a further variant is shown on the right side of FIG. 5a, which differs fundamentally from the previously shown variants and exemplary embodiments and will be explained in more detail below.

The enlarged detail D of FIG. 5b shows that the sealing ring 48a is formed essentially at the radially outermost edge of the cover 40 as in FIG. 4 and is formed by a bent projection in the form of a grip tab 48A, for example, during assembly of the cover 40 on the container extends so far out of the container that it can be easily separated at the perforation 48b from the edge portion 42 to remove the seal ring 48a. Only then can the parts formed in the edge section 42 become Deten expansion grooves (not shown in the section shown here - but see Fig. 9) when jumping between the two bistable states of the end wall 41 expand or contract.

In the variant shown in FIG. 5c, the sealing ring 42a is no longer located at the outermost radial end of the edge section 42, but above it, extending upwards from the edge section 42 upwards against the slip-on direction. At this position, the sealing ring 42a can be molded on the cover 40, for example in an injection molding process. Also at this position, the sealing ring 42a can prevent widening of the expansion sections in the edge section 22 because it connects the regions between two expansion sections and due to its material properties (in multi-component injection molding the harder material) or not intended for the expansion sections material expansion to the extent required.

Only after the sealing ring 42a has been removed from the perforation 42b or predetermined breaking point provided therefor does this restriction disappear and the cover 40 can change over into the open position shown in FIG. 5d. In addition, in the variant according to FIG. 5 c, a rubber seal 42 c can be attached to the outermost outer circumference of the edge section 22, which allows a sealing closure of the opening 1 due to its tight fit in the inner groove 4.

The embodiment of the lid 40 according to the figure 5 differs in particular from the previously described embodiments by the particularly large angle μ in the transition region between the end wall 41 and edge portion 42. As a result, the lid 40 has an appealing outer shape and it can be a particularly effective enlargement of Außendurchmes - Sers be effected when jumping between the two bistable states.

FIG. 6 is intended to illustrate ways in which the signing ring 48a according to the invention can be pulled off the container when the cover is first opened. For this purpose, two modifications of the embodiment shown in Figure 5b are shown.

In FIG. 6b, it can be seen that the upper edge 6 of the container opening 1 to be closed has a recess 7, by means of which the sealing ring 48a, as shown in FIG. 6a, can be easily gripped on its tab 48A from above. But it can just as well be provided a downwardly protruding from the recess seal ring 48a, as shown in Figures 6c and 6d.

In both cases, the sealing ring 48a can be removed from the cover by grasping the tab 48A by hand and drawing it by pulling it on the right in the drawing along its perforation 48b is removed. Equally, it is also possible to hold the signer ring 48a against its tab 48A while rotating the container so that the signer ring 48a detaches from the lid along the peripheral perforation 48b.

In the figure 7a is a fifth embodiment of the invention

Shutter system shown. Here, the sealing ring 58a is not only formed at the outermost peripheral edge of the skirt portion 52 (as part of its lip portion 58) but also connected to the uppermost peripheral edge 6 of the container wall 2. The perforation 58b is then located at the point of the lip portion 58 where the expansion portions (not shown - see FIG. 10) terminate.

As shown in FIG. 7b, an air gap should remain between the step 5 and the lip section 58 so that the cover 50 can be pressed down a little to detach the sealing ring 58a. After the perforation 58b is torn, the sealing ring 58a preferably remains on the wall portion 2. Then, the remaining lip portion 58c of the lid 50 sealingly engage in the serving as an inner groove 4 gap between the sealing ring 58a and the gradation 5, when in the closed Position (not shown) is brought.

The function and design of the end wall 51, the edge portion 52, the

Stiffening portion 53, the handle dome 55 and the handle nubs 56 are analogous to the second embodiment shown in Figure 2 and will not be explained again here.

FIG. 8 also schematically shows the possibility of attaching the signing ring only to a section of the peripheral edge 6 of the container wall 2. According to this seventh embodiment, the sealing ring 6a forms, as shown in FIG. 8a, an extension projecting inwards from the inner circumference of the peripheral edge 6, which can be detached from the wall section 2 of the container opening 1 along the perforation 6b. The lid 60 then no longer has its own sealing ring.

In the variant of the seventh embodiment shown in FIG. 8b, the annular sealing ring 6a is formed so as to form the complete upper peripheral end of the container wall 2. In both cases, the sealing ring 6a locks the vertical movement of the cover edge section required for the cover 69 to swing over and thus prevents the cover 60 from being brought into its open position when the sealing ring 6a is intact. In FIGS. 9 and 10, the basic principle of a snap lid will now be explained in two alternative embodiments. Both variants shown represent the cover 70, 80 with already removed signet ring.

The cover 70 shown in FIGS. 9a and 9b has an end wall 71 of a substantially circular basic shape, on the peripheral edge of which an annular edge section 72 is formed. FIG. 9a shows a side view partially in section. In the left half of the figure, the lid 70 is seen from the side, while in the right half is cut inside, so as to see the rear inside of the lid 70.

The lid 70 is shown in its open position, i. the end wall 71 is, as seen in Figure 7a, in its convex, upwardly arched bistable state. When the end wall 71 snaps into its concave downward (ie in the slip-on) state, the outer circumference of the edge section 72 increases so that a radial end of the edge section 72 can engage an inner groove 4 in the wall region 2 of the opening 1 to be closed ,

In order to keep constant the angle μ, which includes the end wall 71 and the edge portion 72 in its transition region, the lid material should have sufficient rigidity. This is achieved according to the invention in that the transition between the end wall 71 and the edge section 72, at least in sections, but preferably over the entire circumference, has a higher material thickness than the central region of the end wall 71.

The enlargement of the outer circumference in the (not shown) concave bistable state relative to the convex state shown in Fig. 9a requires sufficient stretch flexibility of the peripheral edge portion 72. This succeeds according to the invention by circumferentially (preferably equidistantly) arranged expansion portions 74a of the softer second material component, which alternate with intermediate portions 74b of the harder first material component. As shown in FIG. 9b, the expansion portions 74a at the transition region between the end wall 71 and edge portion 72 and widen towards the radial outer edge.

The edge portion 72 terminates in both its extension portions 74a and in its intermediate portions 74b in a circumferential detent ring 79, also formed of a softer material component, preferably the same as the extension portions 74a. This circumferential locking ring 79 gives the thin-walled lid 70 additional dimensional stability, but is also sufficiently elastic to allow the enlargement of the outer circumference in the concave fold-over position.

Finally, the cover 70 still has a centrally formed on its end wall 71 handle member 75 in the form of a handle or bracket. This can be taken by hand or with a hook or the like safely and reliably to put the lid 70 on the opening to be closed 1 and subtract from this again without lateral tilting.

As a manufacturing method for the lid 70, the already mentioned multi-component injection molding of one or more thermoplastic see plastics is particularly well. By the multi-component technique, a first (base) component can be injected for the end wall 71 and the intermediate portions 74b, while the stretch portions 74a as well as the locking ring 79 are molded directly from a softer second component in a single manufacturing process. An optional third (particularly hard) material component for the transition region between end wall 71 and edge section 72 can also be molded directly in a single multi-component injection molding.

The closure cap 80 shown in FIGS. 10a and 10b can be produced by a thermal process in a particularly material-saving and cost-effective manner. The cap 80 has an end wall 81 of substantially circular basic shape, on whose peripheral edge an annular edge portion 82 is integrally formed. The edge portion has a substantially axial, i. along the direction of attachment extending central portion 87 and a transverse thereto, i. in the radial direction extending lip portion 88. On the center section 87, preferably radially inwardly projecting locking nubs 89 are formed, which are designed for a clamping engagement in an opening outer wall (in particular in an annular groove provided therein).

The cap 80 is shown in its open position, i. the end wall 81 is in its bistable state concaved downwards (i.e., in the slip-on direction), as seen in Figure 10a. When the end wall 81 snaps into its convex, upwardly curved state, the inner and outer circumference of the edge portion 82 decreases so that the locking nubs 89 engage the wall portion of the opening to be closed.

Decisive for the functioning of the snap mechanism is to keep constant the angle μ, which includes the end wall 81 and the edge portion 82 in its transition region, for both bistable states. This should be the cap material has sufficient rigidity. According to the invention, this is achieved in the case of covers 80 which are produced by the thermal process and have a substantially homogeneous wall thickness, in that stiffening ribs 83 are provided in the transition region between end wall 81 and edge section 82. These stiffening ribs 83 extend radially outwardly from the radially outer region of the end wall 81 and extend into the middle section 87 of the edge region 82. They thus represent, according to the principle of the bead, an elevation or depression running transversely to the material plane, which reinforces the cover 80 creates in the range of the angle μ.

The enlargement of the outer circumference in the shown concave bistable

In addition, the condition opposite to the convex state (not shown) requires sufficient expansion flexibility of the circumferential edge region 82. This is achieved by circumferential (preferably equidistant) expansion grooves 84a, which attach to the upper edge of the central section 87 adjacent to the end wall 81 and obliquely therefrom extend outwardly to the radially outer edge of the lip portion 88, while the middle portion 87 in the remaining area 84b away from the expansion grooves 84a yes axially, ie along the Aufsteckrichtung runs down and from there substantially perpendicular to the lip portion 88 passes.

The thus created folds of the edge portion 82 provide expansion grooves 84a which are similar in structure to webbeds and allow for a desired increase in the outer circumference or diameter of the cover 80 between the two bistable states. Care must be taken that the folds reach to the extreme outer edge, i. in that the expansion grooves 84a on the outer circumference of the lip portion 88 form radial openings 84c. With these approximately semicircular openings 84c, the edge portion 82 can actually "unfold" in the state concaved downwards and enlarge its outer circumference relative to the convexly folded-up state.

In the following, further embodiments of the present invention will be explained with reference to FIGS. 11 to 15. Most of the previous design applies analogously to the now following exemplary embodiments, so that only the respective differences are explained in order to avoid repetition. Combinations of the invention described for the individual embodiments invention elements are possible and encompassed by the present description. Figure 1 1 a shows the eighth embodiment of the present invention in a partially sectioned side view. FIG. 11b shows the associated plan view and a line XX along which the section on the right-hand half of the figure has been made, leading to the sectional view shown in FIG. 11a.

The cap 90 is similar in construction to the cap 10 of FIG. The correspondences are essentially that the cap 90 as well as the cap 10 is externally clamped to the wall 2 of an opening to be closed 1 by radially inwardly projecting projections 99 of the Randab- section 92 engage externally in a groove of the wall 2 , In addition, the cap 90 has the stiffening regions 93 and the expansion sections 94a separated by intermediate sections 94b, which in the manner already explained in more detail make it possible to jump over the end wall 91 between the two bistable states for opening the cap 90. Likewise to the embodiments already explained, the cap 90 has a grip element 95, designed here as a bow-shaped handle, for gripping and opening the cap 90.

Unlike in all embodiments explained above, but in the embodiment 8, the tamper-evident seal is not achieved indirectly by preventing a change in the outer circumference of the cap 90 in the original state. Instead, the end wall 91 should be prevented from jumping directly into the second bistable state. This is achieved according to the invention by means of the central webs 91a formed as a sealing element on the end wall 91, which stiffen the end wall 91 in the manner of a rib and thereby act as a mechanical barrier against elastic deformation of the cap 90 in and against the slip-on direction. The connecting region between the webs 91 a and the end wall 91 is perforated and this perforation 91 b acts as a predetermined breaking point in order to be able to easily remove the webs as the originality-sealing element 91 a during the first opening of the cap 90.

In the embodiment shown, four webs 91 a form a right-angled cross. But it can also be more or less and even only a single such web 91 a may be present as long as a deformation of the end wall 91 is thereby prevented in the originality state. The spacings of the webs 91 a need not necessarily be chosen equidistant, and the fastening line between the webs 91 a and the end wall 91 does not have to be radial and continuous (as shown). In particular, the central webs 91 a be attached to the opening wall 2 and be detached from this via a predetermined breaking point during the first opening.

The ninth embodiment of the present invention is shown in Figs. 12a and 12b. FIG. 12b shows a plan view of the cover 100 and a line X-X, along which the cut has been made, leading to the sectional view of the cover 100 shown in FIG. 12a.

Analogous to the cap 90 of FIGS. 11a and 11b, in the case of the cover 100 according to exemplary embodiment 9, the end wall 101 is mechanically blocked by rib-like transverse webs 101a which are connected to the end wall 101 at a perforation line 101b are. The function and construction of the edge section 102, the reinforcing ribs 103 and the expansion and intermediate sections 104a, 104b essentially correspond to the structure of the corresponding elements of the third embodiment shown in FIGS. 4a-c. The main difference between the embodiments 8 and 9 is therefore only that the Figure 1 1 shows a clamped outside on the opening wall 2 cap 90, while it is in FIG. 12 to a seated inside in a groove of the opening wall 2 cover 100 ,

The tenth embodiment shown in FIGS. 13a and 13b, just like the two last-explained embodiments 8 and 9, uses a mechanical blocking of the end wall 101 in the closed position. FIG. 13b shows a plan view of the lid 110 and a line X-X along which the cut has been made leading to the sectional view of the lid 110 shown in FIG. 13a. The basic structure of the relatively flat cover 1 10 with the edge portion 1 12, the stiffening ribs 1 13, the expansion portions 1 14a, the intermediate portions 1 14b and the projection or locking ring 1 19 substantially corresponds to the structure of the fifth embodiment shown in Figure 5.

Unlike in the fifth exemplary embodiment, however, the tamper-evident security is not effected here by a fixing of the outer circumference, but also by a direct mechanical blocking of the end wall 11 in its closed bistable state. This is again achieved by four webs 1 1 1 a, which are formed via a perforation 1 1 1 b as a predetermined breaking point on the cover 1 10. Unlike the embodiments 8 and 9, the webs 1 1 1 a, however, attached to the edge portion 1 12 of the lid 1 10 and extend in the mounting direction not flush with the course of the end wall 1 1 1 down, but have only one flat base element and at least an axially extending from the base member in Aufsteckrichtung spacers 1 1 1 a ', which prevents the distance between the end wall 1 1 1 and the horizontally extending part of the stiffening element 1 1 1 a reduced. Just as well, the tenth embodiment but also works in variants in which the web 1 1 1 a in Aufsteckrichtung extends flat, as is the case in the embodiments 8 and 9 of the case. In addition, the invention is not limited to the number of webs, the spacers, their radial orientation, etc. here. Also, the perforation 1 1 1 b is not necessarily positioned on the edge portion 1 12 and may instead be provided, for example, on the opening wall or at the connection point between the spacers 1 1 1 a 'and the end wall 1 1.

FIG. 14 a shows a cover 120 with a tamperproofing element according to an eleventh exemplary embodiment of the invention. Figure 14b shows a plan view of the lid 120 and a line X-X, along which the cut was made, which leads to the sectional view of the lid 120 shown in Figure 14a. The cover 120 with the end wall 121, the edge portion 122, the stiffening ribs 123 and the expansion and intermediate portions 124a, 124b and the projection or locking ring 129 corresponds in its basic structure to the cover 100 of Figure 12a and the lid 30 of Figure 4a. These basic elements are therefore not explained here.

Unlike the embodiments described so far, it is possible to produce the tamper-evident reliability of the cover 120 of the eleventh exemplary embodiment by means of a special design of the grip element 125. In the positions shown in Figures 14a-d, handle member 125 is shown in its normal operating position after removal of the tamper-evident seal. The bow handle 125 triggers by pulling upwards (see arrow in Figure 14a) a bistable jumping of the end wall 121, which causes a reduction of the outer lid circumference and thus enables a lifting of the lid 120 of the opening.

However, prior to the first opening, the handle member 125 is in the original condition shown in Figs. 14e and 14f. In this, the bracket of the handle member 125 is folded around the film hinge 125a to the rear and connected along a perforation 125b on the strap edge with the end wall 121 or otherwise glued or welded with this point, so that it rests flush on the end wall 121. In this closed original position, the user can take the front wall 121 at any point suitable to the To grab end wall 121 by pulling up in its open state. Only by loosening the stirrup element along the perforation line 125b or separation of the adhesive bonding or welding can the user fold the gripping element 125 about the film hinge 125a, from the flat position shown in FIGS. 14e and 14f to that in FIGS 14c and 14d erected position shown. Consequently, only after releasing this tamper-evident seal does the handle element 125 fulfill its function and allow the user to open and close the lid 120.

The twelfth embodiment of the invention is explained in FIGS. 15a-j. Figure 15b shows a plan view of the lid 130 and a line X-X, along which the cut was made, which leads to the sectional view of the lid 130 shown in Figure 15a. The basic structure of the cover 130 with the end wall 131, the edge portion 132, the stiffening ribs 133, the expansion and intermediate portions 134a, 134b and the locking ring 139 is analogous to the eleventh embodiment of Figure 14 (and thus also to the embodiments of Figures 4 and 12). As in the case of the eleventh exemplary embodiment, in the exemplary embodiment 12, too, the tamper-evidence can be achieved in that the cover 130 can snap in the original state, but the user does not find a suitable grip element for pulling up the end wall 131 (in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 15a).

Instead of a handle element, the end wall 131 has in its center a slot-shaped recess or trough 135 with a cross-sectional constriction 135a. In the original state shown in Figs. 15a and 15b, the user can not grasp the end wall 121 properly, but must use a tool. This tool is supplied in the form of a handle portion 135A-C, the design and operation of which is explained in more detail in Figures 15c-j. The grip part 135A-C is preferably formed on the lid 131 or the opening wall 2, glued or spot welded, and at a predetermined breaking point, in particular along a perforation, of this separable. This is not shown in the drawings.

FIG. 15c shows the detail F of FIG. 15a with a grip part 135A or 135B anchored in the opening slot 135. As shown in FIGS. 15d and 15e, the grip part 135A according to a first variant in the lower section can have an opening window 135A 'into which the projections of the slot constriction 135a engage in order to lock the grip part 135A. Instead of the window 135A ', the grip part 135B according to the second variant has only one constriction 135B' as shown in Figs. 15f and 15g.

According to a third variant, instead of the constriction 135a, the opening slot 135 may also have a cross-sectional widening 135b in which a bulge 135C of a correspondingly shaped grip part 135C engages. This variant is shown in FIGS. 15h-j.

In summary, the present invention relates to a working with a bistable snap mechanism cover 10 ... 130 for attachment to an opening to be closed 1 of a container or other by the cover to be closed element. On the cover 10... 1 10 and / or a container wall region 2, a tamper-evident sealing element 18a... 58a; 42a; 6a; 91 a ... 1 1 1 a mounted, which blocks before its removal required for jumping between the two bistable states deformation of the end wall 1 1 ... 1 1 1 and / or required for the snap mechanism expansion section 74a ... 1 14a prevents the change in the outer circumference of the cover 10... 1 10 required for the deformation of the cover end wall 1 1 .1 1 1 between the two bistable states. Alternatively or in addition to this, a for pulling off the cover 120; 130 required handle element 125; 135A-C also be designed so that it is usable only after overcoming the originality seal.

Claims

claims

1. cover (10 ... 110) for attachment to an opening to be closed (1) of a container or other by the cover (10 ... 110) to be closed element, with

an end wall (11 ... 111), which is deformable in a bistable manner between a first state arched in the mounting direction and a second state arched opposite to the mounting direction, and

an annular edge portion (12 ... 112) integrally formed on the peripheral edge of the end wall (11 ... 111) and adapted to provide a clamping attachment of the cover (10 ... 110) to a wall portion (2) of the opening (1 ) by causing the edge portion (12 ... 112) in the first state to press against the wall region (2) inside or in the second state,

wherein the edge portion (12 ... 112) has at least one expansion portion (74a ... 114a) which allows enlargement of the outer periphery of the cover (10 ... 110) in the first bistable state from the second bistable state,

characterized in that on the cover (10 ... 110) and / or the wall region (2) an originality sealing element (18a ... 58a; 42a; 6a; 91a ... 111a) which, before its removal, blocks a deformation of the end wall (11 ... 111) required for the switching between the two bistable states and / or prevents the expansion section (74a ... 114a) from deforming it Front wall (11 ... 111) between the two bistable states required change of the outer circumference of the cover (10 ... 110) to effect.

2. Cover (10 ... 110) according to claim 1, wherein the material at the location where the sealing element (18a ... 58a; 42a; 6a; 91a ... 111a) on the cover (10 ... 110) and / or the wall region (2) is attached, has a predetermined breaking point, in particular perforated or thinned, so that the sealing element (18a ... 58a; 42a; 6a; 91a ... 111a) by tearing open the perforation (18b ... 58b; 6b; 91 b ... 111 b) or material thinning can be removed by hand.

3. Cover (10 ... 110) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the sealing element (18a ... 58a; 42a; 6a; 91a ... 111a) at least over a partial area the end wall (91 ... 1 1 1) and / or the annular edge portion (12 ... 82) extends.

4. The cover (10 ... 80) according to claim 3, wherein the sealing member (18a ... 58a; 42a) is annularly attached or molded along the portion or the entire outer circumference of the edge portion (12 ... 82).

5. cover (10 ... 80) according to claim 3 or 4, wherein only after removal of the sealing element (18a ... 58a) of the at least one expansion portion (74a, 84a) to the outermost radial outer edge of the cover (10 ... 80) and can cause enlargement of the peripheral edge periphery in the first bistable state relative to the second bistable state.

6. cover (10 ... 80) according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the sealing element (42 a), starting from the edge portion (12 ... 82) against the Aufsteckrichtung upwardly and at the outermost radial outer edge of the cover (10. ..80) a sealing ring (42c) made of elastic material is attached.

7. Cover (90 ... 1 10) according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the sealing element by one or more stiffening elements (91 a; 101 a; 1 1 1 a) is formed, which is a deformation of the end wall (91; 101, 1 1 1) mechanically block in and against the slip-on direction.

8. Cover (90; 100) according to claim 7, wherein the stiffening element is a transversely over the end wall (91; 101) extending web (91 a; 101 a), the rippen-shaped rises up against the Aufsteckrichtung.

9. The cover (1 10) according to claim 7, wherein the stiffening element (1 1 1 a) a substantially flat base member and one or more spacers (1 1 1 a ¹⁾ that a reduction in the distance between the stiffening element (1 1 1 a) and the end wall (1 1 1) counteract.

10. cover (120; 130) for attachment to an opening to be closed (1) of a container or other by the cover (120; 130) to be closed element, with an end wall (121; 131) which is deformable in a bistable manner between a first state arched in the direction of attachment and a second state arched opposite to the direction of attachment, and

an annular edge portion (122; 132) integrally formed on the peripheral edge of the end wall (120; 130) and adapted to effect clamping attachment of the cover (120; 130) to a wall portion (2) of the opening (1), by the Edge portion (122, 132) in the first state inside or in the second state on the outside against the wall portion (2) presses,

wherein the edge portion (122; 132) has at least one expansion portion (124a; 134a) allowing enlargement of the outer periphery of the cover (120; 130) in the first bistable state from the second bistable state;

characterized in that a handle element (125; 135A-C) required for removing the cover (120; 130) can be used only after overcoming a tamper-evident seal when the container is first opened.

1 1. Cover (120) according to claim 10, wherein the grip element (125) rests flat against the end wall (121) and only with removal of the tamper-evident seal by severing a predetermined breaking point of the connection between the handle element (125) and end wall (121), in particular a perforated or thinned Connecting portion (125 b), so from the plane of the end wall (121) is erectable, that the handle member (125) for removing the cover (120) is usable.

12. The cover (130) according to claim 10, wherein the end wall (131) has a latching depression (135) into which a grip element (135A-C) which can be inserted into the recess (135) for latching fits, wherein the grip element (135A -C) is preferably attached to the cover (130) and / or a wall (2) of the opening (1) before the first opening of the cover (130) and can only be separated from it by overcoming the tamper-evident seal.

A cover (80; 100; 120; 130) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein

the expansion section (84a; 104a; 124a; 134a) is formed by preferably equidistantly arranged folds of the edge section (82; 102; 122; 132) which are adapted to move when the sealing element (18a ... 58a; 42a; 6a; 101a; 121 a; 131a) from a folded to a deployed state when the end wall (81; 101; 121; 131) deforms from the first to the second bistable state, and

the cover (80; 100; 120; 130) is preferably made of plastic in one piece by a thermoforming process or an injection molding process.

14. A cover (70; 90; 110) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein

the expansion section (74a; 94a; 1 14a) is made of a second material component that is softer than a first material component from which the remaining edge section (72; 92; 1 12) and / or the sealing element (18a ... 58a; 42a ; 6a; 91a; 1 1 1 a), and

the cover (70; 90; 110) is preferably made of plastic in one piece by an injection molding process in multi-component technology.

15. cover (10 ... 130) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein in the transition region between the end wall (1 1 ... 131) and edge portion (12 ... 132) a stiffening region (13 ... 133) is provided, which ensures that the angle (μ), under which the end wall (1 1 ... 131) merges into the edge portion (12 ... 132), is constant, ie is the same in the first bistable state as in the second bistable state,

the stiffening region (13 ... 133) is preferably formed by the fact that at the transition from the end wall (1 1 ... 131) in the edge portion (12 ... 132):

Stiffening ribs (83, 103, 123, 133) are provided, which extend in the radial direction, and / or

the material thickness is greater at least in partial areas of the end wall outer circumference than in the remaining area of the cover (10 ... 70; 90; 1 10), and / or

the cover (10 ... 70; 90; 1 10) is produced, at least in some areas, from a material component which is harder than the first material component from which the remaining end wall (1 1 ... 71; 91; 1 1 1) at least predominantly exists.

16. Locking system with

the cover (10 ... 130) according to one of the preceding claims and a container with the opening to be closed (1), on the wall region (2), the cover (10 ... 130) is to be fixed by clamping.